Justice should not have a deadline. That is the hauntingly simple premise behind "Virginia’s Law," a sweeping new bill introduced by Democrats to tear down the statutes of limitations that have long shielded predators from civil liability. Named after Virginia Giuffre, the survivor who stared down Prince Andrew, the bill declares that the trauma of sexual abuse does not expire—and neither should the right to sue.

Standing on the steps of the Capitol, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer did not mince words. "When the truth of Jeffrey Epstein finally started to come out... the laws in the books said, ‘Sorry, it’s too late.’" It is a cruel absurdity that has plagued the American legal system: a victim takes decades to process their trauma, only to find the courthouse doors locked. This bill seeks to smash those locks. It comes in the wake of the release of 3.5 million pages of Epstein documents, a treasure trove of horror that has reignited the demand for accountability.

Closing the Jurisdiction Loophole

The bill does more than just erase time limits; it erases borders. Congresswoman Teresa Leger Fernández highlighted a critical flaw in current law: the "private island defense." Traffickers like Epstein utilized jurisdictional gray zones—hopping from New Mexico ranches to Florida mansions to Caribbean islands—to confuse and evade prosecutors. Virginia’s Law clarifies that you cannot fly away from accountability. If you are an American citizen or the crime touches American soil, the law will follow you.

The emotional weight of the moment was carried by Sky Roberts, Virginia Giuffre’s brother. Fighting back tears, he reminded the press that this is not abstract legislation. It is blood and bone. "Virginia’s dream was to inspire and empower survivors to come forward," he said. The presence of the Roberts family underscores that while Epstein is dead, the system that enabled him—and the men who abused his victims—is still very much alive.

• The Unfinished Business: The bill serves as a direct challenge to the "powerful men" who have thus far evaded justice. Sky Roberts explicitly called for Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor to answer questions before Congress, a statement that drew a nod of agreement from Schumer. The message is clear: no title, no wealth, and no distance will protect you anymore.
• Bipartisan Pressure: While introduced by Democrats, the pressure on Republicans to support the bill will be immense. Voting against a bill named after a sex trafficking victim in an election year is political suicide. This is a moral wedge issue designed to force action.

A New Era for Survivors

If passed, Virginia’s Law will be retroactive, allowing survivors of historical abuse to finally file suit. It will unleash a tidal wave of litigation against institutions, enablers, and perpetrators who thought they had run out the clock. For the victims who have waited in the shadows, the clock has not stopped; it has just been reset.